Whitey Skoog Inducted 1987

(coach)

Myer Skoog began his career in athletics with the basketball team at his high school in Brainerd, Minnesota. The talent he displayed there won him a place on the squad at the University of Minnesota. A guard for the Golden Gophers between 1947 and 1951, he earned honors as an all-Big Ten and all-America player during his senior year. Whitey, as he came to be known, was even more widely known as one of the foremost developers and practitioners of the jump shot, a technique that revolutionized basketball. He took his patented shot to the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in 1951. where he became one of the premiere guards in the league. Whitey was forced to abandon his playing career in 1957 after he suffered a back injury.
He was hired almost immediately by Gustavus to coach the school's basketball squad. During his 24 years as basketball coach, Whitey led the Gusties to the MIAC championship, in the 1967-68 season and a co-championship in 1974-75, as well as five second-place finishes. In 1973, Whitey became coach of the golf team. a duty he retains today. He has led the Gustie golfers to nine MIAC titles and as many postseason national tournaments, building for the team a reputation as one of the best golf squads at a school of any size. Whitey is the father of three children: David. 37; Kristin, 35; and Amy, 30.